Dunne disappointed and defiant

Updated: Sunday, 15 Nov 2009 13:36

A sad sight: Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane and Damien Duff at training in Malahide this morning

Richard Dunne couldn’t hide his disappointment following the Republic of Ireland’s first leg 1-0 defeat to France in the World Cup qualifier, but remains defiant ahead of the return leg in France on Wednesday.

When asked how he felt afterwards, the Dubliner said: ‘Disappointment really. There wasn’t really anything in the game. It was only one shot were it was looking dangerous and it went in.

‘We created a number of chances from set-plays and we said that was going to be our big point.

‘Even though we are a goal down, we still have to believe that we can go there on Wednesday and cause them trouble.’

Dunne went to insist the players will travel with a positive attitude: ‘It has to be the attitude (that it is only half-time). There is no point in going there if we think it is over. We came here with the belief we are going to qualify.

‘We are 1-0 down now but it is still there. They are decent players but they never really cut us open. It is our belief that we can go there and win the game.

‘It was good (performance). We have to take positives from it and, because the result is bad, it does not look good for us.

‘We did well and created three or four good chances. We have to keep going and get the crowd behind us when we get over there and make it difficult for them (France).

When asked if he felt the performance at Croke Park showed Ireland have what it takes to get the right result in Paris he responded: ‘Definitely. They had a lot of the ball and movement and nice passing without doing too much. There were a couple of shots from outside the box.

‘It was difficult to get the ball off them but every time the ball went into their box it looked like they were panicking.

‘We are going to have to try to play higher up the field and get a few more set-piece situations and take advantage of them.’